A young man originally from St. John’s will be sentenced later this month for the shocking, random and fatal stabbing of teenager in a Toronto subway station.
Twenty-four-year-old Jordan O’Brien-Tobin has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the killing of 16-year-old Gabriel Magalhaes.
He was sitting on a bench, waiting for his train, when he was attacked out of the blue and unprovoked on the night of March 25th, 2023.
At the time, O’Brien-Tobin was wanted for breaching court conditions in this province, racking up a lengthy criminal record before moving to Ontario in 2021.
O’Brien-Tobin “does not have a major mental issue,” argued the Crown, calling him a “violent, callous” killer who has “dangers with drugs and alcohol, some self-inflicted.”
Court heard he was sending texts to his mother and girlfriend that tragic night, stating “someone’s dying” and that he “stabbed someone and got away with it.”
Second-degree murder comes with an automatic life sentence. But the judge must decide how much time O’Brien-Tobin will serve before he’s eligible for parole; 18 years, says the Crown, while the defence countered with 12.
Gabriel Magalhaes. (Courtesy GoFundMe)
But it’s clear from the victim’s parents that no jail term will ease the pain of losing their son.
“I failed the single most important job of my existence: to keep my son safe.” said Gabriel’s mother.
Said his father: “My nightmare will only end the day I am at peace beside my Gabriel.”
O’Brien-Tobin is set to be sentenced on February 28th.
